“Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you” (PV 3:28)

Procrastination is defined as the choice to postpone an action that can be done immediately. It is a voluntarily delay even accepting the risk that postponing may worsen the matter. The reason why a man procrastinates is because he chooses to do other things that for him are less difficult or more interesting.

Procrastination is a sign of spiritual weakness. It is caused by fear, laziness, a weak will or lack of self-confidence. Postponing things that should be done today will only increase the stress and the level of anxiety. Guilt will be added and the fear of failure, of the future increases. Procrastinators have difficulty with organizing their time. They do not take the best advantage of opportunities and seasons. These feelings combined may promote further procrastination and it affects their health generally. This life style becomes a vicious circle and makes such a man to be a fool.   “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (Jam 4:17)

Felix was the Roman Procurator in Judaea. His was known as a cruel and very corrupt man. He was also famous for his lust for women and a very wasteful life. He married three times, each time for political favor or pure lust.  The best known among his wives is Drusilla. He forced her to divorce her second husband and to marry him when she was just twenty years old.

Drusilla, his wife, was a very beautiful woman. She was a member of the infamous Herod family. Her uncles killed John the Baptist and Apostle James. Her grandfather, Herod the Great killed all the baby boys in Jerusalem trying to destroy Jesus. It is on record that he was ‘a Jewess’. That means she knew the scriptures. But all this religious knowledge was only superficial. She knew the letters but rejected Christ and His Spirit. History says that after her husband was transferred she went to live at Pompey with their son. They were both killed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The Lord told Ananias of Damascus that Paul “is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel”   Apostle Paul, as a prisoner in chains, preached to them. He did his own part.

“As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (Ac 9:15; 24:25)

Paul preached to them about three basic doctrines. He told them that even if they are rich and famous, they are not right with God. They need to make peace with God. They need to repent and accept Christ, who is the righteousness of God. He also told them that the lust of the flesh is a sign of loving the world. The lustful Felix felt the conviction of God’s Spirit. Paul told them that they need the fruit of the Spirit which is true love and self-control. Lastly, Paul said that God sees everything and He will judge all sins. There is Day of Judgment and none can escape. Felix trembled at God’s Word but he refuse to obey his conscience. He told Paul that he will call him later, when it is ‘convenient’ for him. The word ‘convenient’ means when it is easier to perform or when it does not disturb my personal comfort. That time never came. He was soon transferred and never saw Paul again. There is no record that Felix or his wife Drusilla ever got saved.

I had a similar experience. About three years ago, a middle aged man, one of my husband’s friends, came to visit us. He comes from a rich family. I felt the ‘nudge’ of the Holy Spirit. I silently prayed in the Spirit for utterance. I told Him the plan of salvation found in Christ alone. I explained to him the doctrine of justification by faith alone. I told him that Christ died for his sins so that he should live eternally. I told him that he needs to be born again and not just religion. I stopped and waited. He kept quiet. I then asked him if we can pray. He said no. I asked him if he understood all I said. He answered me yes. He then repeated my ‘sermon’. Then I asked him why not praying? He said that he attends a church where he has invested a lot of money and he has many friends. Not only that, but soon the church will give him the title of a ‘knight’. Somehow he knew that Christ and ‘knights’ do not walk together. He said that he will go home and pray, and then come back to tell me his decision. He kept his word. Few days later he came and he said that he cannot accept Christ. That he is sorry… That we can still be ‘friends’… Some months later, we received an invitation for his ceremony of ‘knighthood’.

I saw him again two months ago. He is now campaigning to be a politician in our state. He looked stressed but when he saw me he tried to laugh. We greeted like old friends…. None brought the subject of Christ again…

As for me, I am sad but I have peace. I have given him the Word of life. The rest is in God’s hands.

Dear Reader, please remember: ‘Today is the day of salvation!’ We are commanded to make the best of every opportunity, to redeem the time for the days are filled with evil.

Procrastination is a demon that also affects your performance as a husband or wife. The unity of the Spirit in the marriage is very difficult to maintain. One will always be slower than the other. The spiritual agreement to pray will be lacking. The couple will encounter many unnecessary trials. There is no peace and joy in the home.

Is the destiny of your soul a joke to you? Is the Gospel of Christ Crucified just entertainment for you? Tomorrow does not belong to any of us. Whatever good you can do now, DO IT!

In Christ I declare:

I repent of the sin of procrastination!

Bu God’s grace and by the power of God’s Spirit, I will never procrastinate again!

Help me God!

In Jesus name

Amen!